The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has emphasized the need for a strong partnership between civil society organizations (CSOs) and the government to support President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking during the first Civil Society Summit on Civil Democracy and National Development, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, Inuwa noted that meaningful progress requires joint effort and mutual accountability, not finger-pointing.
He explained that while government and civil society each have unique strengths, only through collaboration can they achieve lasting impact. “Government alone cannot drive the change we seek, and neither can civil society. But working together, we can do so much more,” he said.
Inuwa outlined the key pillars of the Renewed Hope Agenda, ranging from economic growth, national security, and infrastructure to social services, agriculture, and improved governance, stating that building consensus across sectors is vital for continuity and long-term success.
He also stressed the importance of technology in achieving national goals. According to him, emerging tools like artificial intelligence can help scale ideas and improve productivity in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture.
Inuwa shared that NITDA is currently partnering with the Ministry of Youth Development to launch a digital platform that uses AI to involve young Nigerians in shaping public policy.
“Technology enables us to turn good ideas into action faster and more efficiently. Nigeria doesn’t suffer from a lack of ideas—we just need the tools and determination to put them to work,” he said.
The NITDA boss further highlighted the need to rebuild public trust, which he said often erodes due to poor communication and lack of engagement. He called on all stakeholders to unite behind the president’s vision and work together for the country’s progress.
The summit served as a platform for strengthening cooperation between civil society and government, with a shared goal of fostering inclusive development and democratic governance in Nigeria.
